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Leonard J. Arrington letters

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 7667

Scope and Contents

This collection contains 28 folders, housed in 2 hollinger boxes. The collection is approximately 1500 pages long. This collection is a compilation of letters that Arrington wrote to his children once they were all out of the house. His secretary, Chris Croft, typed and xeroxed a large portion of the letters. However, later most of the letters were typed out by Arrington. The letters also contain a few diary excerpts and newspaper clippings that Arrington sent to his children. The letters begin in 1972 and extend to 1999, shortly before his death.

Dates

  • 1972-1999

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Open for public research. No photocopying. Researcher must be referred to Utah State University Library, owners of the Leonard J. Arrington papers.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from the Leonard J. Arrington letters must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.

Biographical History

Leonard J. Arrington was born on July 2, 1917 in Twin Falls, Idaho. He aspired to be a farmer as his parents were, and studied at the University of Idaho. He studied agricultural science in 1935, later changing to agricultural economics. He married Grace Fort in 1942. A year later, he served in World War II for the United States, where he was stationed in North Africa and Italy until 1946. He had three children: Susan, Carl, and James, who he wrote letters to often. He also wrote a variety of publications about Mormon history throughout his life. In 1972, he was appointed Church Historian for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in that calling until 1982. In 1982, his wife Grace died, and in 1983 Arrington was remarried to Harriet Ann Horne. He lived in Salt Lake City for the majority of his life, until his death in 1999.

Extent

2 boxes (1 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

Maintained in original order.

Custodial History

Donated by Susan Arrington Madsen, a descendant of Leonard J. Arrington, in 2010.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated: Susan Arrington Madsen; 2010.

Appraisal

Utah and American West and LDS cultural, social, and religious history (20th Century Western & Mormon Manuscripts collection development policy, 5.VII, 2007).

Letters that Leonard J. Arrington, Mormon author and Church Historian, wrote to his children.

Processing Information

Devon Zimmerman, student manuscript processor, and David Whittaker, curator.

Title
Register of Leonard J. Arrington letters
Status
Completed
Author
Devon Zimmerman
Date
2010 November 9
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English in Latin script.

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States